I know burning man is not a music festival but all the same lots of amazing musical artists perform at burning man. I'm wondering how in all the nuttiness that must be going on everywhere people figure out who is playing where and when. Are there schedules of some sort posted somewhere?

When shall I be free?
When I shall cease to be.
No more I but WE,
In perfect harmony.

There is no centralized schedule posted, however a few people try to compile lists. I don't think it would be possible to actually list everything (it's a city with a population over 50K, almost everyone's throwing a party every day and night). Rockstar Librarian's has been the most comprehensive for the big name stuff, you may want to keep an eye out for that, it's usually published in early August. Personally I just bring a few notes for key performances that I'd like to see, then leave the rest to chance (and open to discovering amazing artists and performers I'd never heard of before).

I know burning man is not a music festival but all the same lots of amazing musical artists perform at burning man. I'm wondering how in all the nuttiness that must be going on everywhere people figure out who is playing where and when. Are there schedules of some sort posted somewhere?

Every year I print out Rockstar Librarian, circle all the acts I want to see, and then typically make it to maybe 1 of them. MAYBE one of them. I don't think I made it to any of them this year.

The What/When/Where guide given away at Greeters also lists things like small & medium sized theme parties, jam sessions, and other events, though not usually artists by name. There's a map folded into it.

The big sound camps at 2 o'clock and 10 o'clock can be expected to load their favorite talents on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights of the event (with some exceptions).

*** 2018 Survival Guide ***
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger

Savannah wrote:The What/When/Where guide given away at Greeters also lists things like small & medium sized theme parties, jam sessions, and other events, though not usually artists by name. There's a map folded into it.

When you say jam sessions, is that something that typically people can participate in? I don't know if I would dare bring my instruments to BM (especially my first year) but I can only imagine how magical it would be to jam with some burners on the playa...

When shall I be free?
When I shall cease to be.
No more I but WE,
In perfect harmony.

Savannah wrote:The What/When/Where guide given away at Greeters also lists things like small & medium sized theme parties, jam sessions, and other events, though not usually artists by name. There's a map folded into it.

When you say jam sessions, is that something that typically people can participate in? I don't know if I would dare bring my instruments to BM (especially my first year) but I can only imagine how magical it would be to jam with some burners on the playa...

It can be hard to say what will be available; keep your eyes on "2013 Art & Performance" as the event grows near and start looking at your collection with an eye to what, if anything, you don't mind risking the health and safety of. You're right--bringing something irreplaceable or impossible to clean wouldn't be smart, because that powdery dust gets everywhere, but there are stages & opportunities everywhere and lots of folks with instruments. People pre-schedule some performances (ranging from very small to enormous) & perform spontaneously at other times. Drum circles tend to spring up, and their are marching bands that are well-rehearsed but don't always have set venues--they just swoop down upon a wedding, or at Center Camp, & do their thing.

One year some friends of mine met a British group online and said "come play with us Thursday night of the event" and so an on-playa connection was made (it wasn't easy to find the group) and then they jammed together for a while unrehearsed over some speakers that one of them had brought . . . I think it was a bass, some drums, keyboard, clarinet (can't remember all of what) and some girl wandered by and decided to come sing. It was really beautiful.

*** 2018 Survival Guide ***
"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger

I don't know what your instruments are, but if wood's involved, remember that the air is very dry and can crack it--so I am told. We used to have a violist here who would keep a damp sponge in her case, so that it wouldn't dry out too much. I pass this on every time, and it's been a while. I don't know if we have anyone on here who can add or refine or correct what I just said, so you might want to find other informants and see if this is correct. I s uppose you can always take the damn sponge out.
(No offence meant, whoosh.)

The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.
Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

Back to OP, this year I used the "What/When/Where" guide extensively. Sometimes when you are unprepared, you hear good music and you HAVE to know who played.

That's a good point. I started out trying to plan out who I wanted to see my first couple of years, but now I just embrace the chaos of the event and wander towards whatever sounds good at the moment. It is nice to have those references afterwards though, to figure out who you were listening to.

I also suggest stopping by the big 2 and 10 sound camps Tuesday or Wednesday, and looking for lists of performers, times, and stages.
Often, mostly with big DJs, the huge techno camps don't post their biggest "head liners" before the event and only put "Special Guest" as a place holder in the list they send to Rock-star Librarian.

Why don't ya stick your head in that hole and find out? ~piehole
Plan for the worst, expect the best. Make the most out of it under any conditions. If you cannot do that you will never enjoy yourself. ~CrispyDave

I heard some awesome music, lots of it, day and night. Never knew who was "playing" til I found out later. Doesn't matter, it is out there, just listen. Heard some of the best music of my life this year (2012). Mad Max meets The Apocolypse scenes in the dust storms at night. Brilliant music, just brilliant.

Dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them’s making a poop, the other one’s carrying it for him, who would you assume is in charge?
" I am a controlled substance". Savannah.

Savannah wrote:ou're right--bringing something irreplaceable or impossible to clean wouldn't be smart, because that powdery dust gets everywhere, but there are stages & opportunities everywhere and lots of folks with instruments.

Bring your shittiest instrument...one you won't care if it gets messed up...no one will be able to tell the difference, anyway.

Don't bore your friends with all your troubles. Tell your enemies instead, for they will delight in hearing about them.

if you begin to play then the magic will begin wherever you are
a few years ago a cellist played in Center Camp every early dawn
it was where we all found ourselves going
pf course bring only instruments not your best ..maybe rental
but if you dont try then it will not happen

N2F - welcome. Contributing your creative skills to jamming and music will be appreciated. Reach out through your and nearby regional BM groups/parties/gettogethers and this ePlaya board for any and all individuals and camps doing your flavor of music. Assume any instrument you bring will be lost, misplaced/stolen or destroyed. Don't know your style, but Dustfish is a live music camp. A live music art car in your style would be a great connection and they are out there.